Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Problems That Every Writer Will Have Come Across

I've been writing a lot of deep stuff lately so I thought I'd have a bit more of a laid back post which will, hopefully, put a smile on a few people's faces. So, I give you...

Problems That Every Writer Will Have Come Across

Image from Google

1."What do you do?" "I write." "Oh..."

Ok, raise your hand if you've ever been in the following situation: you've been sat talking for someone for a while and it's going alright until they find out what you do. When you tell them you're a writer you get one of four reactions:

A polite yet uncertain smile (usually followed by different variations of "How nice...")

The conversation quickly trails off (usually with the person looking about the room for someone else to speak to)

The "Oh, are you are journalist/ do you write novels?" question (9 times out of 10 it will be the one you don't do) or...

Yep, we've all been there- I swear it's a writer's rite of passage or something...

2. "Why won't you come out?" "I'm writing."I admit it, I hold my hands up, I am a self-confessed hermit. But when you have just one more chapter to finish or you have a word count that you just need to get done then writing takes over. People don't always get it (especially when I was younger and all of my friend's were going to parties or going out clubbing) but it's all just a part of our craft. It can be a pain sometimes but we love it all the same. Speaking of being a pain...

3. Writer's Block

Who hasn't been here, seriously? If you simply type this phrase into Google you'd be amazed how many results come up. You find yourself sat there, staring at the page and your mind is completely blank. The thought of stringing words together to form (dare I say it?) sentences seems completely impossible. The characters in your head won't co-operate or do anything that you ask them to and as the plot... what's a plot again?

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4.Caffeine Addiction/ Dependency

Writing is not a nine to five career, as we all well know. Inspiration can come at anytime while deadlines can cause unsociable working hours so caffeine can be a beautiful, wonderful thing.

Coffee, tea you name it- chances are you have a favourite drink, probably a favourite 'writer mug' too.

5.Being An Avid People WatcherAt first you don't realise you are doing it. You are sat there minding your own business when suddenly a conversation catches your ear. Before you know it you're invested. It isn't long before you find yourself watching people's mannerisms: the tapping of feet, the nervous twitch of a smoker waiting for their next cigarette. (Read more about these habits here)

That's only a few of many. If you have anymore suggestions for the list, make sure to leave a comment!